Russo-Ukrainian war, day 1388: EU freezes Russian assets indefinitely as Ukraine pushes back near Kupiansk, prepares for peace talks

Exclusives

Ukraine’s $240,000 drones are bleeding Russia’s oil fleet dry. Five tankers hit in two weeks—and insurance costs have tripled.

Can exhausted Ukrainian territorials save Huliaipole?. Huliaipole anchors Ukrainian defenses in eastern Zaporizhzhia. But there aren't enough Ukrainian troops to hold it.

Borscht gets cheaper, butter eases—Ukraine beats inflation forecast (INFOGRAPHIC). Record vegetable harvest absorbs price shocks, but the cushion is fragile.

Ukrainian troops have a new way of hiding from night drones. The infantry's only hope to escape from drones with infrared cameras is thermal camouflage. Western blankets cost $2,000, so Ukraine is making its own.

Military

Ukrainian drones wipe out Russian manpower equivalent to two battalions in 48 hours, commander says — Ukraine's drone forces say their kill count hit 976 soldiers in just two days — and the pressure is still rising.

"Reality speaks for itself": Zelenskyy visits Kupiansk as Ukraine traps remaining Russian forces — "Achieving results on the frontline is crucial so that Ukraine can achieve results in diplomacy" - Zelenskyy.

Ukraine says its troops encircled remaining Russians in Kupiansk and freed nearby villages (VIDEO, MAP) — The operation followed months of heavy fighting after a Russian breakthrough in September triggered the creation of a special strike group.

Russia claims it captured Siversk and portrays its victory as inevitable — but ISW says neither is true (MAPS) — The announcement is part of what ISW calls cognitive warfare — aimed more at perception than actual battlefield control.

WSJ: Russia making "marginal advances" on Ukrainian front despite Moscow's claims — Russia's military advance in Ukraine is moving slower than virtually every major campaign over the past century, including World War I's Battle of the Somme, according to analysis by CSIS.

NATO to send Ukraine $5 billion in US weapons by year's end — focus on air defense — The PURL program will deliver critical air defense, ammunition and spare parts from American reserves by 31 December.

Intelligence and Technology

Ukrainian drones blow up Russian An-26 plane and two more radars in occupied Crimea (VIDEO) — Ukraine's military intelligence shared a video showing its Prymary unit's strikes over 10–11 December.

Ukraine hits two Russian ships linked to Iran arms route in the Caspian Sea, says SOF — Ukraine's special forces and the Black Spark movement reportedly cooperated to hit ships used for military purposes.

Drones hit deep into Russia again — this time, it's Yaroslavl's oil refinery 700 km from Ukraine's border (VIDEO, MAP) — Locals reported multiple explosions and saw a fire engulf the vast oil refinery complex in Yaroslavl city.

Frontline report: Europe shifts from defense to retaliation, prepares cyber response to Russian hybrid war — Baltic leaders say Russian hybrid operations now threaten the foundations of European security. Senior EU officials respond that the bloc must be ready to hit back.

International

Von der Leyen: EU to lock down frozen Russian assets as Ukraine peace talks advance — European Commission President warns peace deal must not "sow the seeds for the next conflict."

"A landmark step toward justice": EU freezes Russian assets indefinitely, blocking Hungary's veto threat over Ukraine loan — Move backs €165 billion reparations plan; Russia sues Euroclear in Moscow court.

EU offers Belgium guarantees to unlock Russian assets for Ukraine loans – Reuters — Belgium is blocking the EU's plan until other member states agree to share potential legal liability if Moscow sues the Belgian depository holding the funds.

Slovakia threatens to veto EU's €210bn Ukraine loan ahead of December summit — Fico calls the EU strategy "senseless killing" and invokes Trump's peace efforts.

Bild: Zelenskyy to visit Berlin on 15 December to discuss peace plan — Trump's plan demanding Ukraine surrender "disputed territories" Russia hasn't captured and slash its military has prompted European security experts' concerns.

Ukraine forms joint working group with Trump envoys, BlackRock CEO to develop reconstruction action plan — Ukraine's economic plans depend on security guarantees that US representatives promised during negotiations with Trump envoys and top investors.

World Bank releases $290 mn for Ukraine to support small and medium-sized businesses — Payment follows completion of key milestones in a $593 mn program targeting 20,000 businesses and 40,000 jobs.

Ex-Trump campaign adviser now consulting for sanctioned Russian oil giant seeking buyer for global assets — Bryan Lanza, a senior adviser on Trump's 2024 campaign, has been hired as a consultant to Lukoil's international division.

Political and Legal Developments

Ukraine denies agreeing to Donbas buffer zone, calls Le Monde report a misinterpretation — Podoliak says discussions were "exclusively theoretical."

Humanitarian and Social Impact

Russian drone strikes animal rescue van in Donetsk, injuring dog (VIDEO) — Team and animals shelter in nearby yard as drones circle for hours.

Young volleyball players from Russia and Belarus to compete under national flags from January 2026 — Russia and Belarus will see their junior volleyball teams return to the international arena on 1 January 2026, despite the FIVB's stated concern about the war in Ukraine.

Ukraine's sports minister: Russia uses "pressure, bribery and blackmail" after IOC allows youth athletes under national flags — The International Olympic Committee has recommended that young Russian and Belarusian athletes be allowed to compete under their national flags.

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